He doesn't really hear much after the 'I love you'. Abel's talking, he knows that, probably something reassuring and telling him it's fine that this is happening and Cain doesn't even need to be able to hear him to know it's that, because of course it is, Ethan's just like that.
Finally getting those words said to him should have been elating, and it's not that he isn't happy to have it said back, but even knowing that he said it first something in him tries to balk at the response.
He rubs the heel of his hand up against the corner of his eye and sniffs. His chest feels tight. The back of his throat and top of his jaw hurt with how he's suddenly trying very hard to keep it together.
Maybe a plan would have been better, but he's here now. No backing off from it.
He unclasps his hands from each other and gives one of them to Ethan again when he asks, but he doesn't look at him. For the moment everything just feels too intense.
no subject
Finally getting those words said to him should have been elating, and it's not that he isn't happy to have it said back, but even knowing that he said it first something in him tries to balk at the response.
He rubs the heel of his hand up against the corner of his eye and sniffs. His chest feels tight. The back of his throat and top of his jaw hurt with how he's suddenly trying very hard to keep it together.
Maybe a plan would have been better, but he's here now. No backing off from it.
He unclasps his hands from each other and gives one of them to Ethan again when he asks, but he doesn't look at him. For the moment everything just feels too intense.